Writer, analyst, podcaster, Spurs fan. Three out of four is not bad. If there is a data angle, I will find it.
UK CASINO INDEX
This is our UK Casino Index, in which we highlight the top spots for roulette and blackjack if you're planning a land-based casino experience over playing on a casino site at home. Previously, we explored global casino hotspots like Macau and Las Vegas in another piece, offering a broader view of the casino landscape locally and internationally.
Before we explain why the cities are ranked where they are, here is the league table for each of the 49 casino town and cities in the UK.
| City | Overall Average |
|---|---|
| London | 7.66 |
| Birmingham | 6.98 |
| Manchester | 6.30 |
| Sheffield | 5.66 |
| Nottingham | 5.37 |
| Liverpool | 5.24 |
| Newcastle | 4.98 |
| Glasgow | 4.95 |
| Cardiff | 4.88 |
| Southend | 4.87 |
| Blackpool | 4.78 |
| Reading | 4.69 |
| Luton | 4.64 |
| Leeds | 4.62 |
| Northampton | 4.55 |
| Bradford | 4.52 |
| Milton Keynes | 4.49 |
| Brighton | 4.47 |
| Edinburgh | 4.41 |
| Leicester | 4.37 |
| Bristol | 4.35 |
| Great Yarmouth | 4.34 |
| Hull | 4.34 |
| Salford | 4.34 |
| Southampton | 4.32 |
| Coventry | 4.30 |
| Stoke | 4.25 |
| Southport | 4.05 |
| Bournemouth | 4.03 |
| Aberdeen | 4.03 |
| Stockton | 4.02 |
| Walsall | 3.97 |
| Torquay | 3.90 |
| Didsbury | 3.89 |
| Huddersfield | 3.80 |
| Plymouth | 3.73 |
| Derby | 3.66 |
| Portsmouth | 3.63 |
| Thanet | 3.60 |
| Sunderland | 3.56 |
| Swansea | 3.49 |
| Stockport | 3.45 |
| Scarborough | 3.31 |
| Wolverhampton | 3.23 |
| Dudley | 3.16 |
| Margate | 2.85 |
| Bolton | 2.82 |
| Dundee | 2.73 |
| Wirral | 2.68 |
Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square London - Tom Eversley//shutterstock
1. London (Overall Average: 7.66)
If you’ve ever thought about visiting a casino in the UK, then chances are London is at the top of your list. With 23 casinos spread across the city, it comes as no surprise that the capital dominates the casino scene in terms of sheer volume. With a mix of high-end resorts that demand a dress code to be adhered to and more affordable venues on offer across the city, this ensures that London’s casino experience is nothing short of varied.
Because of such quantity on offer - not to mention all the other amenities, the average daily rate here sits at a premium £171 and although it is one of the more expensive in our suvery, the price you pay for airbnb rental only further matches the city’s stature.
However, it’s not without its competition either and although the UK's capital has the most casinos, it’s the overall quality of the experience that puts it top of the survey at the expense of the likes of Birmingham and Manchester.
Genting Casino in Birmingham / 4kclips//shutterstock
2. Birmingham (Overall Average: 6.98)
Although it cannot be considered as glamourous as London, the city of Birmingham knows how to hold its own when it comes to a high-quality experience and for this reason, it sits second in our rankings.
With seven casinos spread across the city, the availability of gaming here is respectable, though not as abundant as what can be found in London. Despite this, Birmingham makes up for it with a solid offering: 80 games including blackjack, eight poker tables, and six restaurants should be enough to keep players entertained.
Not only that, but the £118 for the average daily rate keeps it affordable yet still competitive and with a casino density of 0.62 casinos per 100,000 people, there’s a clear indication that the demand for gaming here is high.
However, despite the accessible prices, Birmingham’s offerings remain somewhat behind the grandeur and scale of London’s impressive roster. This does not make Birmingham a second-tier player, but it’s a city that seems to thrive on consistency rather than flash.
Grosvenor Casino, Manchester / Chris Bull / Alamy Stock Photo
3. Manchester (Overall Average: 6.30)
Sitting third in the table is Manchester - a city that often flies under the radar when it comes to its casino scene.
Despite having the highest number of casinos per capita (0.73 casinos per 100,000 people), the city still struggles to stand out in the same way as London or Birmingham and although it can call upon four casinos, 70 games, and ten poker tables, these are numbers that can only be considered respectable rather than truly impressive.
The average daily rate for an overnight Airbnb stay comes in at £120 is pretty and this is at the higher end of the scale when it comes to accomodation costs but Manchester does have an edge is in its gaming options.
This edge comes with a slightly more generous number of poker tables compared to other cities. However, the lack of variety in dining and the smaller-scale experience leave Manchester with some ground to make up on the pair of London and Birmingham above.
Napoleons Casino complex in Sheffield / Sam Stephenson / Alamy Stock Photo
4. Sheffield (Overall Average: 5.66)
Sheffield is a city that knows how to keep things simple but that comes more as a term of endearment rather than criticism and because of its simplicity, it finds itself sitting fourth in our survey.
With only four casinos, 50 games, and five poker tables, it does not attempt to compete with the larger cities in terms of size but at the same time, it does not really need to either.
What Sheffield does offer, however, is value for money and this is reflected by an affordable average Airbnb daily rate of £105 (£66 cheaper than London) and a friendly, accessible atmosphere for players of all levels.
The casino density of 0.69 casinos per 100,000 people reflects a moderate availability of gaming options such as a spin of the roulette wheel, but Sheffield’s lower overall rating shows there’s room for improvement.
The small number of restaurants (3) also indicates that the casino scene is more focused on gaming rather than dining and entertainment and although not a destination for luxury seekers, Sheffield’s relaxed, straightforward approach has its charm.
Nottingham City Centre England UK - Tracey Whitefoot / Alamy Stock Photo
5. Nottingham (Overall Average: 5.37)
Rounding out the top five is Nottingham and although it may have a strong casino density (1.38 casinos per 100,000 people), its overall offering falls short when compared to the locations above.
With four casinos, 45 games, and six poker tables, Nottingham has a solid foundation as a casino location, but it fails to build on it, in order to offer a truly memorable experience.
The average Airbnb daily rate of £110 seems reasonable for what is on offer, but the limited range of casino dining options (just threerestaurants) and the lack of variety in the overall casino experience drag the city down.
While the high casino density suggests that gaming is popular in Nottingham, it struggles with scale and luxury and although its compact offerings cater well to the local crowd, it may struggle when it comes to trying to attract international visitors.
| City | Per 100000 People | Average Daily Rate | Number of Games | Poker Tables | Restaurants | City Casino Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 0.26 | £171.00 | 120 | 20 | 15 | 7.33 |
| Birmingham | 0.62 | £118.00 | 80 | 8 | 6 | 7.29 |
| Manchester | 0.73 | £120.00 | 70 | 10 | 5 | 7.85 |
| Sheffield | 0.69 | £105.00 | 50 | 5 | 3 | 8.15 |
| Nottingham | 1.38 | £110.00 | 45 | 6 | 3 | 7.85 |
| Liverpool | 0.58 | £117.00 | 45 | 6 | 3 | 8.27 |
| Newcastle | 1.00 | £110.00 | 35 | 4 | 3 | 8.07 |
| Glasgow | 0.63 | £134.20 | 40 | 5 | 2 | 7.75 |
| Cardiff | 0.83 | £120.00 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 7.93 |
| Southend | 1.87 | £112.00 | 30 | 4 | 3 | 7.73 |
| Blackpool | 2.15 | £95.00 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 7.87 |
| Reading | 1.84 | £120.00 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 7.60 |
| Luton | 0.94 | £90.00 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 7.80 |
| Leeds | 0.25 | £115.00 | 40 | 5 | 3 | 7.40 |
| Northampton | 0.81 | £90.00 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 8.20 |
| Bradford | 0.68 | £87.00 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 7.80 |
| Milton Keynes | 0.48 | £110.00 | 35 | 4 | 3 | 8.80 |
| Brighton | 2.23 | £155.00 | 40 | 5 | 3 | 7.27 |
| Edinburgh | 0.82 | £174.00 | 50 | 4 | 3 | 6.80 |
| Leicester | 0.43 | £100.00 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 7.10 |
| Bristol | 0.63 | £122.00 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 6.80 |
| Great Yarmouth | 5.17 | £105.00 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 7.40 |
| Hull | 0.77 | £90.00 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 6.90 |
| Salford | 1.93 | £90.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 7.90 |
| Southampton | 0.74 | £115.00 | 30 | 4 | 3 | 6.90 |
| Coventry | 0.55 | £100.00 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 7.40 |
| Stoke | 0.80 | £85.00 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 6.90 |
| Southport | 1.09 | £88.00 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Bournemouth | 1.07 | £140.00 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 8.00 |
| Aberdeen | 1.49 | £150.00 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 7.13 |
| Stockton | 0.51 | £75.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 8.60 |
| Walsall | 1.48 | £87.00 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 7.60 |
| Torquay | 1.53 | £110.00 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 8.20 |
| Didsbury | 2.00 | £125.00 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 8.60 |
| Huddersfield | 0.61 | £82.00 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 7.60 |
| Plymouth | 0.75 | £115.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 7.20 |
| Derby | 0.39 | £92.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Portsmouth | 0.81 | £120.00 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 6.40 |
| Thanet | 0.65 | £115.00 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7.80 |
| Sunderland | 0.36 | £85.00 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7.60 |
| Swansea | 0.41 | £100.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 7.60 |
| Stockport | 0.68 | £85.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Scarborough | 3.24 | £95.00 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 5.50 |
| Wolverhampton | 0.40 | £95.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 6.80 |
| Dudley | 1.26 | £92.00 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Margate | 1.63 | £125.00 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 5.80 |
| Bolton | 0.35 | £82.00 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Dundee | 0.67 | £197.60 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 7.60 |
| Wirral | 0.31 | £94.00 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5.80 |
CATEGORY WINNERS
Now we know the ranking of the UK Casino Index, it seems right that we also highlight the category winners:
Highest Casino Town/City Average - Milton Keynes: 8.80
Milton Keynes might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of premier casino destinations, but with an impressive city casino average of 8.80, this small city has earned its spot at the top. Despite having just one casino, Milton Keynes punches well above its weight with its exceptional offerings, considering its population of only 207,057 people.
This city may not have the large-scale casino infrastructure of major cities like London or Birmingham, but the single casino it hosts delivers a solid experience and this is reflected in the accomodation costs.
With a Airbnb daily rate of £110 makes it relatively affordable (even if it is at that sharper point of proceedings), but it does so while offering 35 games such as baccarat, four poker tables, and three restaurants.
While Milton Keynes proves that even with fewer venues, a combination of quality offerings and accessibility can make it a standout city for those seeking a top casino experience and this achievement highlights the potential of smaller cities to deliver exceptional experiences without the need for extensive infrastructure.
Highest Casino Number - Great Yarmouth 5.17 (Per 100,000 of Population)
Great Yarmouth stands out as the clear winner in the category with an impressive 5.17 casinos per 100,000 residents and Despite its relatively small population of just 38,693, the seaside town boasts a strong casino presence, hosting two that cater to the entertainment needs of both locals and tourists.
The city casino average of 7.40 reflects a solid quality of gaming experiences, with a variety of 20 games and two poker tables available across the two casinos and this experience by the sea is not necessarily cheap.
With the average Airbnb rate of £105 potentially being a barrier, those who can overlook the price will find an attractive destination for a more accessible casino outing.
Due to Great Yarmouth's concentration of casinos highlights how a smaller town can create a strong niche in the gaming industry, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a more intimate, yet high-quality, casino experience.
Cheapest Airbnb Rate - Stockton £75 per night
Stockton takes the crown as the winner for the cheapest Airbnb daily rate, offering an affordable £75 per night for accommodation and due to this, it stands out as a budget-friendly destination,
Due to the cost being far cheaper than the higher ranking cities in our index, a trip to Stockon acts as an attractive option for those seeking a more economical casino experience without sacrificing quality.
The city boasts a solid city casino average of 8.60, reflecting a high standard at its only casino where it provides a solid range of twelve games including craps and 1 poker table, which in turn creates a great environment for visitors who prefer a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere.
The overall affordability of Stockton extends beyond accommodation. Despite having fewer amenities compared to larger cities, the reasonable price point ensures visitors can enjoy both the gaming and leisure options without breaking the bank and for cost-conscious travellers looking to enjoy an accessible casino experience, this location offers great value for money.
METHODOLOGY
City Casino Average taken from individual casino listings from - https://www.mylocalcasino.co.uk/
These listings were given a score of 5. This was then doubled to create a score out of 10, which was then averaged per town/city.
Casino's is a count of how many casino's were in each of the individual town and cities
Population is taken from Excel's Geography function and the latest figures per town/city
Casino's per 100,000 =(Population/Number of Casinos)×100,000
Average Daily Airbnb Rate taken from https://www.airdna.co/
Number of games, poker tables, restaurants all collated from https://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/united-kingdom
Each of these eight categories were then normalised to give a ranking of 1-10 per category and these were then averaged to give the overall average.
City Casino Average - 1 lowest, 10 highest
Count - 1 lowest, 10 highest
Population - 1 lowest, 10 highest
Per 100,000 people - 1 lowest, 10 highest
Daily Airbnb - 1 most expenseive, 10 least expensive
Number of Games - 1 lowest, 10 highest
Poker Tables - 1 lowest, 10 highest
Restaurants - 1 lowest, 10 highest
